Agricultural News
Five Arrested for Theft of State Property in Okfuskee County
Tue, 21 Jun 2016 20:54:15 CDT
Col. Jerry Flowers and Special Agents with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) led a joint criminal investigation with the OSBI, Okfuskee County Sheriff's Department and the Okemah Police Department regarding a burglary that occurred in Lincoln County at the Oklahoma Conservation Commission District Office complex.
On May 23, 2016, Special Agents with ODAFF were called by law enforcement officers with the Chandler Police Department regarding a burglary they were investigating at the Oklahoma Conservation Commission District Office and shop located in the City of Chandler, Lincoln County. It was reported to the police in Chandler that thieves had broken into the shop, behind the Conservation Commission office, and stole a State of Oklahoma Ford F-350 flatbed truck with markings depicting the Oklahoma Conservation Commission logo. Also stolen was a 35' gooseneck trailer, John Deere Gator, John Deere skid steer, JD ZTR mower, a utility trailer with a Lincoln welder mounted on it and miscellaneous tools and saws. The value of the theft was estimated at $200,000. Agents learned the day after the burglary the stolen equipment had been seen in Okfuskee County. Special agents met with OSBI Agents in Okfuskee County and began a joint investigation.
With help from OSBI, agents developed and identified five suspects who were involved in the theft of the state-owned equipment. During the investigation, agents learned the stolen equipment may have been hidden in a heavily wooded area in the southeast part of Okfuskee County. After several days of searching the area, agents found most of the stolen heavy equipment hidden in the heavily wooded area in the county. Agents recovered the Conservation Commission's John Deere skid steer, gooseneck trailer, John Deere ZTR mower and JD Gator that were all stashed in the woods. The state Ford F-350 truck is still missing.
ODAFF Special Agents along with the OSBI, Okemah Police Officers and the Okfuskee County Sheriff executed two search warrants at the homes of the defendants and found evidence that linked the five suspects to the Lincoln County burglary as well as one suspect being in possession of some of the Conservation Commission property in Okfuskee County. Agents also found suspect Brent Welkley was also in possession of methamphetamines as well as illegal firearms at the time search warrants were served. He was placed in the Okfuskee County jail for being in possession of a sawed off shotgun and being in possession of methamphetamines.
On June 20, Special Agents and the OSBI served five arrest warrants in Okfuskee County arresting the five suspects responsible for the Lincoln County burglary and also for being in possession of stolen items. All five of the suspects were booked into the Okfuskee County jail waiting to be transferred to the Lincoln County Sheriff Department.
The suspects arrested and booked into the Okfuskee County Jail are as follows:
1. Brent Welkley WM/ 12-8-88 Burglary II
2. Bobby Walker WM/ 7-10-75 Burglary II
3. Jonathan Dyer WM/ 11-16-85 Burglary II and Conspiracy
4. Randy Summers WM/ 6-15-83 Burglary II and Larceny of an Automobile
5. Edward Dennis WM/ 11-14-80 Charge, 2 counts Knowingly Concealing Stolen Property
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